Ahead of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, we here at For The Win are previewing some key teams to watch in this tournament. Next up is the Argentina women’s national team. You can see the full list of team previews and read about the USWNT here.
Is this the year Brazil finally breaks through?
For the past decade or so, Brazil – led by the legendary Marta – has often dazzled in the group stages of the World Cup, only to fizzle out before reaching the semifinals. Since finishing as runners-up to Germany in 2007, the Brazilians reached the quarterfinals in 2011 – where it lost to the USWNT in penalties – and the Round of 16 in 2015 and 2019.
Brazil returns to soccer’s biggest stage this summer in Australia and New Zealand. The team is coached by Pia Sundhage, who played in a pair of World Cups, coached the American women to two Olympic Gold Medals and a runner-up finish in 2011, and Sweden to an Olympic silver and a Round of 16 appearance in the 2015 World Cup. Sundhage is the first European to coach the team. Last year, the team won the Copa America and didn’t concede a single goal in the tournament.
Sundhage now guides Brazil in what will be the sixth – and likely final – World Cup for 37-year-old Marta. The hope is that the team sends her off with some hardware.
Let’s get to know the team a bit better.
RELATED: The complete USWNT schedule, from group stage to another possible final
Brazil's group and schedule
Brazil is in Group F, a tough one that includes the likes of France, upset-minded Jamaica, and – making its first appearance – Panama.
Here’s the group stage schedule for Brazil:
- July 24 vs. Panama | 7 a.m. ET on FS1
- July 29 vs. France | 6 a.m. ET on FOX
- Aug. 2 vs. Jamaica | 6 a.m. ET on FOX
Key players for Brazil
Marta: One of the most talented and dominant players that women’s soccer has ever seen, no one has scored more goals in the women’s World Cup than Marta. She is Brazil’s all-time leading international scorer, and in 2007 she won the World Cup’s Golden Ball and Golden Boot after she powered Brazil to the final by scoring seven goals and assisting on two others. She, Christine Sinclair and Christiano Ronaldo are the only people to have scored in at least five World Cups. Marta could increase her record and score in a sixth World Cup this summer. She’s scored twice this season in 11 matches for her club team, the Orlando Pride of the NWSL.
Debinha: Creative and fearless, Debinha was once thought of as the next or “new Marta.” Instead, she’s carved out her own path with a playing style that is unique and incredibly fun to watch. Still, the end results are largely the same; like Marta, Debinha creates a plethora of scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. In 112 career NWSL matches, Debinha has tallied 41 goals and 18 assists. She helped the North Carolina Courage win a pair of NWSL championships before joining the Kansas City Current in free agency this past offseason. This will be the 31-year-old’s second World Cup appearance for Brazil.
Kerolin: If someone were to build a list of players under the age of 25 that folks need to pay attention to at the World Cup, Kerolin would absolutely be on it. A speedy hybrid of a forward and a midfielder, this will be the World Cup debut for the 23-year-old. When Debinha left the Courage for Kansas City, Kerolin became the team’s go-to goal-scorer this season, putting eight shots in the back of the net in 13 games so far in this NWSL season.
KEROLIN FROM DISTANCE! 🎯
NC Courage with the instant response. 💪 pic.twitter.com/WdsmCsadNM
— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) May 6, 2023
Recent World Cup history
Marta’s 74th minute penalty kick in Brazil’s final group stage match in 2019 against Italy pushed the team into the knockout round.
Marta's goal breaks the all-time World Cup scoring record as Brazil defeat Italy and both teams advance to the knockout stage.
Watch the full game highlights in our 90' in 90" highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/urlaIqEBaJ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2019
In the Round of 16, Brazil met up with host nation France. After falling behind early, Thaisa equalized for Brazil in the 63rd minute. But in extra time, France prevailed after Amandine Henry knocked in a ball from a free kick in the 107th minute.
It was the final World Cup for Brazilian forward Cristiane, who was not included on this year’s roster.
What the experts say
Júlia Belas Trindade, The Guardian: “If they enter the pitch with confidence, they will be able to impose their own style. They will try to keep the ball, but if they lose it, they will fight like hell to get it back. They may concede a goal, but they’ll try as hard as they can to equalize. And, if they score, they surely will go for more.”
Courtney Hill, Olympics.com: “Given the star-studded names boasted in their squads, Brazil and France are arguably the favorites to make it out of this group as the top two teams. … (Brazil) will be looking to replicate their 2007 run which saw them reach the final of the competition.”
Brazil defender Rafaelle Souza to The Athletic: “The pressure is on us, particularly now that the men’s team hasn’t had much success in the last few World Cups. The fans are demanding that we win this title. We know it will be difficult but it’s great to see that people are behind us, expecting big things.”
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